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UK basks in warmest February day on record UK basks in warmest February day on record
(about 1 hour later)
The UK is experiencing its warmest February day on record, with the Met Office reporting a temperature of 20.3C (68.54F) at Trawsgoed, Ceredigion. The UK is experiencing its warmest February day on record, with the Met Office reporting a temperature of 20.6C (69.08F) at Trawsgoed, Ceredigion.
It is the first time a temperature of over 20C has been recorded in winter.It is the first time a temperature of over 20C has been recorded in winter.
It breaks the UK's record for February, set when the temperature reached 19.7C in Greenwich in 1998.It breaks the UK's record for February, set when the temperature reached 19.7C in Greenwich in 1998.
A new English record has also been set with temperatures rising to 20.1C in Hampton Water Works, in south-west London. A new English record has also been set with temperatures rising to 20.1C in Hampton Water Works, in south-west London.
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It is the second day running the Welsh record has been broken. On Sunday temperatures reached 19.1C, breaking the record of 18.6C (65.48F) set 29 years ago in the south Wales village of Velindre.It is the second day running the Welsh record has been broken. On Sunday temperatures reached 19.1C, breaking the record of 18.6C (65.48F) set 29 years ago in the south Wales village of Velindre.
The BBC Weather Centre says that, although it is recognised that the climate is changing, it's hard to attribute any single weather event to climate change. The BBC Weather Centre says Tuesday's weather conditions are likely to be very similar to Monday's.
Darren Tansley, a mammal ecologist at Essex Wildlife Trust, says the unseasonably warm weather could have a detrimental effect on hibernating species such as dormice, hedgehogs and bats. It says to expect a largely sunny, but chilly start to Tuesday with a frost in places. The rest of the day will become increasingly warm with lengthy spells of sunshine, threatening February temperature records once again.
He says: "They could be coming out of hibernation too early, which means they're active at a time when really they should be reserving their body fat to get over the slack food period. The warmest areas are likely to be around the London area and across north and west Wales again.
"These species will be looking for food that will not be abundant at this time of year - insects are going to be in very low supply for example.
"Dormice are not going to be finding fruits and berries or anything like that at the moment, so they'll be using their energy reserves after coming out of hibernation without finding any of the food they'd expect once the wake up." he explained.
Why is it so warm?Why is it so warm?
By Nick Miller, BBC WeatherBy Nick Miller, BBC Weather
It's hard to believe that a year ago Britain was about to endure the worst of the so-called Beast from the East, with widespread snow and sub-zero temperatures.It's hard to believe that a year ago Britain was about to endure the worst of the so-called Beast from the East, with widespread snow and sub-zero temperatures.
Fast forward 12 months and this record February warmth shows just how varied the UK weather can be.Fast forward 12 months and this record February warmth shows just how varied the UK weather can be.
The reason temperatures have been so high is the direction our air is coming from.The reason temperatures have been so high is the direction our air is coming from.
High pressure parked to the south east of the British Isles has been dragging warm air from Africa and the Canary Islands our way.High pressure parked to the south east of the British Isles has been dragging warm air from Africa and the Canary Islands our way.
Temperatures are further boosted by something known as the foehn effect, when air warms as it flows down the lee side of mountains.Temperatures are further boosted by something known as the foehn effect, when air warms as it flows down the lee side of mountains.
All of this combined with the sunshine has produced something quite remarkable for February.All of this combined with the sunshine has produced something quite remarkable for February.
Caroline Lucas, the former leader of the Green Party, suggested the warm weather is linked to climate change.
She said: "I like spending an afternoon in the sunshine as much as anyone but it's impossible to shake the feeling that this isn't right."
Tom Burke, of the independent climate change think tank E3G, said extreme warm weather events were exactly what climate change experts said would happen if people continued to put carbon into the atmosphere.
He said: "Temperatures are twice what they would normally be at this time of year. Imagine if this was the summer and the temperature was twice what it would normally be, and you really begin to get an idea of how serious this problem could be."
Where were the warm weather hot spots?
The record UK temperature for a February day was surpassed in five different locations:
Darren Tansley, a mammal ecologist at Essex Wildlife Trust, said the unseasonably warm weather could have a detrimental effect on hibernating species, such as dormice, hedgehogs and bats.
He said: "They could be coming out of hibernation too early, which means they're active at a time when really they should be reserving their body fat to get over the slack food period."
He also said these species could be looking for food that was not abundant at this time of year.
Is it sunny where you are? Get in touch and share your pictures and videos by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Is it sunny where you are? Get in touch and share your pictures and videos by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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